The official beginning of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro kicks off Friday night with the Opening Ceremony.
It will be a celebration of sport, competition, friendship and Brazilian culture. Unfortunately, Brazilian soccer legend Pele is not feeling well and won’t be able to make it, but the event should still provide plenty of memories.
Keep it right here for the latest news, updates and highlights from the Opening Ceremony in Rio.
11 p.m.: An amazing overhead picture.
I think they've got enough fireworks there. #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/m1tH5lN1fy
— Adam Papageorgiou (@PapageorgiouMBO) August 6, 2016
Here’s another view.
Christ the Redeemer watches over the #Rio2016 #OpeningCeremony #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/R5FtqZMeFp
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 6, 2016
10:57 p.m.: Vanderlei Lima lights the Olympic cauldron and the Opening Ceremony is over.
Photo via James Lang/USA TODAY Sports Images
10:53 p.m.: Here’s Gustavo Kuerten with the Olympic torch.
Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images
10:50 p.m.: Brazilian sports legends are taking turns.
Gustavo Kuerten, former No. 1 in the world in men's tennis, carries torch in. #OpeningCeremony
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 6, 2016
Basketball great Hortência Marcari is next with the torch. #OpeningCeremony
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 6, 2016
10:48 p.m.: The torch has entered Maracana Stadium!
10:40 p.m.: The Olympic Games are declared open by Brazil’s interim president, as fireworks go off.
Photo via Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports Images
10:30 p.m.: IOC president Thomas Bach addresses the ceremony towards the end.
Photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images
10:15 p.m.: Here’s host nation Brazil.
Photo via Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports Images
9:45 p.m.: The parade of nations keeps rolling with Russia.
Photo via Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports Images
9:25 p.m.: A few more.
Photo via Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
9:10 p.m.: Some interesting uniforms.
Photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
8:45 p.m.: The United States of America, led by Michael Phelps!
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
8:40 p.m.: Here are some more nations.
Chicago-native Tyrone Smith carries the flag of Bermuda in the parade of nations at #Rio2016 https://t.co/USw0aqFgqG pic.twitter.com/cJ5DfnjQbE
— Brian Cassella (@briancassella) August 6, 2016
The Parade of Nations is in progress #TeamTTinRio Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/h1p4kFrXJa pic.twitter.com/RsUNJVR9gw
— CCN TV6 (@tv6tnt) August 6, 2016
8:20 p.m.: Here’s Canada!
#CAN pic.twitter.com/LFltruWetH
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) August 6, 2016
8:15 p.m.: The athletes have started to walk in the Parade of Nations.
Argentina's flag bearer is roughly three feet taller than all the other athletes. pic.twitter.com/Slw7FTEvvh
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) August 5, 2016
8 p.m.: Gisele Bundchen, famous supermodel and wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, has made an appearance.
Gisele… #Rio2016 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/mqQBJ3cWnO
— Muhabirin Köşesi (@muhabirinkosesi) August 5, 2016
The Maracana goes wild for Gisele – her last walk on a catwalk and presumably the end of her super model career. #openingceremony
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) August 5, 2016
7:30 p.m.: Here are some cool photos from various skits and performances.
Photo via James Lang/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
Photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
7:10 p.m.: Pretty cool.
Boom! @Rio2016 #olympics #openingceremony pic.twitter.com/0pG6h96Hy8
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 5, 2016
7 p.m.: The Opening Ceremony has started in Brazil, but NBC’s not showing it until 7:30 p.m. ET.
We have liftoff. #Rio2016 has arrived. Congratulations @timebrasil. #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/pk3i5cXJys
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) August 5, 2016
6:42 p.m.: There will be plenty of dancing tonight.
A lot of instructions right now on dances we're supposed to do during Opening Ceremony. Feel like I'm at the audition in SHOWGIRLS #Rio2016
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 5, 2016
6:40 p.m.: Here are some cool photos.
Great shots from Rio ahead of the #OpeningCeremony at the 2016 #Olympics tonight